Question

Magnesium is a group 2 metal which exists as a number of isotopes and forms many compounds.

Magnesium ions produce no emission of absorption lines in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Suggest why most magnesium compounds tested in a school laboratory show traces of yellow in the flame

Answer 1

Traces of sodium impurity

Step-by-step explanation:

Metal ions are identified by a characteristic colour imparted to flame by the metal ion solution. Various metals have various colours which they impart to a flame.

The energy of a flame is not sufficient for the excitation of electrons of Mg to a higher energy level. As a result of this, Mg do not give any color in Bunsen flame.

However, a few tinges of yellow-orange colour which is characteristic of sodium metal do appear when magnesium ions are exposed to a flame as a consequence of traces of sodium impurity in the magnesium ion solution.